Communicating your cause and getting people involved is the essence  of fundraising.   Your  writing is going to do  a lot of that  work -  so never stop making it stronger!

• How does your  nonprofit size up?   Take  Tom Ahern's Nine-step Communications Self-Audit.
• Civicus, an international alliance of nonprofits, offers this thorough online guide to  Writing Effectively and Powerfully.

Here are many more books and websites to help.

Master the Basics

	The book on writing that every other book on writing recommends.		Short chapters that will put master writing devices at your fingertips.
	Simple and straightforward advice for the business writer.		Details on the mechanics of writing, plus tips for common business documents.
	Here's a sometimes  hilarious, always  honest and helpful look at the job of  fundraising writing.		Bills itself as "An Elements of Style for the Information Age."

Conquer the Enemies of Writing

Complicated  words, jargon, and  vague language can  bore your readers, or worse -  make them angry and confused!   Even the U.S. Government is working to combat this problem.   You'll find some fun and helpful advice at www.plainlanguage.gov.

• To check spelling and grammar, fall in love with Oxford Reference Online,  120 dictionaries in one database available through Dayton Metro Library.   Or try www.grammarbook.com or www.yourdictionary.com.
• Proofreading tips from the Word Wise blog.
• Four frequent problems with fundraising writing.
• The nonprofit jargon-finder.

Keep it simple! In the event that = IF At the present time = NOW Nevertheless = BUT

Some writers make it a rule: cut 30% of the first draft.

Make Your Message Heard

For thousands of years humans have used stories to share, demonstrate and persuade.   Now there's  evidence that stories can actually  raise more money.

• Here's a podcast with Andy Goodman, nonprofit storytelling guru.
• You'll be amazed at the wealth of free expertise you can find at www.fundraising123.org.    You'll find  eight free courses here on storytelling, communication and persuasion.   It's also got help on email and web communications.
• Videos of master storytellers.

	This acclaimed business book has lessons for just about anyone.   Find related resources at www.madetostick.com		Nuggets of wisdom about the sometimes strange factors that influence our decisions.
	Why stories have such a powerful influence, and the do's and don'ts of using them.		Take some cues from the renowned teacher of screenwriting.
	Short chapters on effective storytelling by an editor for The New York Times.		How every business can conjure up great and authentic stories.

Grant Proposal Writing

• For a look at what goes into a grant proposal, read this article from The Grant Plant.
• Or  take  some online training at the Foundation Center.
• And don't forget about the Dayton Metro Library's own free, three-hour course, Orientation to the Grants Information Center.   Contact me for details.

	Cheryl Clarke gives a fresh perspective on grant proposal writing.
	Beginning grant writers will find the many examples in these books helpful.

Letter Writing

Individual donors are essential to fundraising success.   And "direct mail" campaigns are a proven way to get people on board.

Newsletters, Annual Reports & Blogs

Anyone who writes for a nonprofit newsletter should check out this fantastic  set of articles by Tom Ahern:

• Why People Ignore Your Newsletter: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
• Never Run Out of Story Ideas Again: Part 1, Part 2

	Put on your journalist's hat!		Should  our CEO blog?   How do we know our blog's worth the effort?   This book can help.
	A detailed guide to  putting together an  annual report.		Getting your message across in news releases, websites and blogs.